31 Practically Profound Random Facts About the Everything on Earth – Part 271

Friday the 13th occurs at least once a year every year but can occur up to three times in a single year.

27. Carmen Colon, the first victim of the alphabet child killer, was seen running down an interstate wearing no pants, frantically waving for help, by at least 70 people, who assumed the man trying to corral her into his car was her father. She was found murdered near the highway 2 days later.

28. In 1910 pioneer aviator Lilian Bland became one of the first women in the world to design, build and fly an aircraft that she named Mayfly, suggesting it may or may not fly. Her first flight was successful, but her father, concerned for her safety, persuaded her to sell Mayfly, and buy a car.

29. The worst result in a simultaneous chess exhibition was 2 wins and 18 losses by Joe Hayden. He wanted to set a record by playing 180 people simultaneously but only 20 showed up to play. His 2 wins were scored against his mother and a player who got tired of waiting and left in mid-game.

30. The origin of the word abracadabra has not been determined, but that word has been around since the second century.

Velu Nachiyar was the first queen to fight against the British colonial power in India. After her husband was killed by British soldiers, she raised an army and repelled the British in 1780. She is one of the few rulers who regained her kingdom and ruled it for ten more years.